The German national team has been in disarray for the past few months, with them only winning two games so far in 2025, and slumping to defeats against Portugal, France, and Slovakia, the latter of which has left direct qualification to next year’s World Cup in a massive rut.
One of the biggest criticisms of the team is the current lack of leadership in the team. Ever since the final remnants of the 2014 World Cup winning generation retired last year, the team has seemingly been left rudderless. One of those
remnants was Manuel Neuer, who has recently (and continuously) been linked with a national team comeback. While the goalkeeper is far from the biggest problem position in the national team at the moment, current No. 1 Marc-André ter Stegen is out injured for the rest of the year, and Oliver Baumann, although a decent keeper, does not exactly hold a candle to Neuer’s skill, experience, and leadership.
Neuer’s agent Thomas Kroth fanned the flames about a possible comeback, saying: “If I give a clear answer now, I’ll be opening a can of worms. He’s in top form and absolutely delivering. If Julian Nagelsmann sees a problem in that position, if Manuel is healthy, and if he is asked – then Manu certainly won’t say no.”
Indeed, while it is premature to suggest Neuer will return to the national team – barely a year after he retired, no less – should Germany run into further problems, and if Neuer keeps up his performances, there may not be much standing in the way of a comeback.
Neuer has played in eleven major tournaments for Germany and led the team to the World Cup title in 2014. Will he make it twelve next summer? Only time will.
Germany opened their World Cup Qualifying campaign this week with matches against Slovakia and Northern Ireland. Julian Nagelsmann’s side is already starting to feel the pressure after failing to win the Nations League Finals, made worse by a hugely disappointing loss to Slovakia. Does a win over Northern Ireland show enough promise for Germany to qualify for the World Cup or even compete at the top level? Join Jack Laushway as he breaks down the results, player ratings, and what Germany needs to tweak before next time in October.
